A little late, but better than never. I made a promise after Layd Out at the Park 2014 that a feature was going to be run of this truck in the magazine I was with. I have since left CookieCutter. I left on good terms, and this is no reflection on their abilities as an automotive magazine. But…..there was still the fact that a promise was made, and as a photographer I want to make sure that all features I promise, are met hopefully to the vehicle owner’s expectations. Out of all the vehicles that were at Layd Out, I chose this truck. There was something about it that caught, and held, my eye. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Walking by Rusty Webb’s ’54 Chevy, you can’t help but stop and stare. In a park full of shiny trucks, the charm of this truck pulls you in. From the patina’d paint to the barn wood bed flooring, every inch is nothing but classic goodness. Rusty built the truck from the ground up with the love and support from his wife Samantha and son Ian. Ian loves taking the truck everywhere they go, enjoying the looks people give as they drive by. Topping a Chevy S-10 chassis with the renewed body of a 1957 Chevy 3100, it has been reworked to perfection. The engine bay received the attention it deserved with a 355 motor and a Weiland supercharger and blower. With the help of his friend Jonathan, Rusty performed the engine overhaul 3 days before Layd Out At The Park 2013. The Pabst Blue RIbbon Beer theme started with the idea of wanting something different than your run-of-the-mill Rod Shop logo. Once the beer tap was found, everything else fell into place. Keeping with the theme, door graphics were painted to a perfect faded finish by Travis Raleigh. The little things are always what makes a truck stand out, and this is no different. The pinstriping on the B pillars, nose, and intake, provided by Matt Cook, complete the look of the truck. The minitruck bug first bit when Rusty was only 17. His first truck was a 1991 Nissan hardbody. Many late nights and shop hours have been logged getting him to where he is today. Rusty would like to give a big thanks to Mike “Colonel” Sanders for all his time and help with the “crazy gremlins” and other problems he’s faced along the way. With a 1929 Model A sitting next in line at his shop, I’m sure there’s nothing but good things coming from this minitrucker in the future.

2014 was an amazing year. I made it to some of the best shows I’ve been to since I started shooting. I had ups and downs finding my own niche in the show scene and parting ways with CookieCutter Magazine, but I will continue to support them in everything they do. With it being the last day of the year, I’m going to rewind through show season 2014!

Jingle Bass (12-06-14) was cold, dreary, soggy, yet completely amazing for the sound competition world. The rain kept most show participants away but didn’t hamper Bass Wars in the least. The ladies learned why it’s important to always carry a hairbrush with you when loud systems are around.

Monster Bass (11-01-14) was another Tint Plus hosted show and did not disappoint. Everyone had a blast getting into the theme of things.

Darren Louch’s Cadillac and Lane Mattison’s Penny Truck

This was my first year making the drive out to WannaGoFast’s Half-Mile Shootout at Heaven’s Landing. (09-13-14) The host’s name is pretty telling on what the day was about. Fast cars being outrun by even faster cars. The vendor area was surrounded with an amazing array of show quality racing machines.

The fundraiser show for JDRF was another great show this year. There’s always a great spread of different vehicles from all different decades, makes, and models.

The annual Clarkesville Antique car show (08-17-14) was a scorcher this year, but with a tent full of friends, it made it worth it. I’ve enjoyed going to the show as a birthday celebration of sorts for 3 years now and as long as they host it, I’ll be there.

I wasn’t able to get any photos at the Bass Benefit Sound-off and show (07-19-14) as I was hosting. It was a first for me to be completely behind the scenes making sure it went off without a hitch. All proceeds went to a close friend’s dad who was having health problems and needed a little help getting back on his feet. I was very humbled to see how many people came to help out where they could. Whether it was entering the show and sound competition or buying raffle tickets. I’m extremely proud to call these folks my friends.
Another first for me this year was Summer Showdown (07-05-14) held in Byron, Georgia. It was great seeing some familiar faces from other shows and meeting new people. Also, seeing the debut of Drop Em Wear’s t-shirt cannon was about as epic as you can get.

There were several benefit shows throughout the year including the Danny Seymour benefit show (05-24-14) held by Billy Wheeler at Tint Plus. They went above and beyond to help raise as much funds as possible for Danny and his family.

Second year for me to attend Formula Drift Round 2. Best mother’s day gift ever! And with Vaughn Gittin, Jr. taking the win at Road Atlanta, it honestly couldn’t have gotten better.

The biggest show hosted by Tint Plus had to have been Spring Bling (05-03-14). There was a huge turn out, and what other show has a WEDDING??

I wasn’t the only one celebrating that we made it through Southeastern Minitruckin Nationals (04-27-14) without getting soaked to the bone. Here’s to 20 more years of an awesome show!

The biggest “first” for me this year was Layd Out at the Park (04-11-14). The park was packed with amazing vehicles of every sort and size. The giant slip-n-slide was a hit and more than a few gathered around the stage for the bikini contest.

The Cruisin’ For Paws (04-05-14) in Clayton, Georgia was another benefit show but for a different sort of cause. Rabun Paws 4 Life had people coming from all over the area to support our 4 legged friends. With tons of concessions, silent auction prizes, and a live band, it was definitely a success.

The Gathering (03-08-14) is the unofficial start to show season in this area. Unfortunately, a camera malfunction kept me from taking many photos. I am thankful that a great friend, who always has my back, helped me get the coverage I needed to make my editors happy. So instead of posting one of my own shots from the event, here’s one of my favorites that he took.

I’ve realized how special all my friends are. There are a few who are family to me, I can’t imagine life without them and I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t have them to catch me when I fall. To everyone who I’ve met this year, and those who have been there with me through it all, Happy New Year! See you at the shows!

If this image represents the template that you use every day on your respective Instagram account(s), congratulations for being the lowest common denominator. You have done nothing but continue to use the hard work of others for personal gain and attempt to peddle unoriginal goods to unsuspecting automotive enthusiasts. There are people who have a real passion to create content for the world and who pay for their own camera equipment, travel using their own expenses, and spend hours after to publish their work. You do not have that passion. You are thieves and leeches who think that taking advantage of people for personal gain is okay. And those of you who support these accounts are just as bad as the ones who created them. Print is dying at a rapid rate because you do not support the creators. Just as fast as print is dying is the inspiration of…

Everyone knows that the best way to close out a great year, is to do so with friends. Jingle Bass 2014 was no exception. The soggy weather didn’t put too much of a damper on the day’s events, making it the perfect ending to the 2014 show season. Bass wars brought in many competitors to see who could shake the most rain off their cars. Richard Asselin took home the title of loudest of the day, hitting a 161.5.
Richard’s Skar audio filled Tahoe turned the show into a literal “blowout” when he pulled off a 4-way hair trick, because, it IS all about that bass.
Big thanks to Billy Wheeler and his crew at Tint Plus of Sandy Springs, South Carolina for making it possible. Looking forward to a new year full of friends, cars, and a whole lot of fun!

I saw my first minitruck in 2007 after I moved to northeast Georgia. It wasn’t anything special. A early 90’s white Nissan hardbody, just cruisin’ down the road laid out. Most people say that a truck doesn’t have a purpose unless they’re stock or lifted. What they don’t realize is that these trucks do have a purpose. They show the personality and creativity of the owner. They’re pieces of art that give you a small glimpse into the mind of the driver. It’s something bigger than Chevy or Ford, domestic or import. It’s about family. Not just blood, but the bond you have over a common love. They don’t care what you drive as long as you have a mutual respect for each other’s rides. The clubs are different in the minitruck scene thanany other I’ve been around. They may park by club, but they’re all in it together. The love and respect shown to each other makes you wish the weekend would never end so you wouldn’t have to return to real life. Josh Carpenter’s outlook into clubs is one that many share. “Clubs shouldn’t be searched for and begged to be in. I feel like if people in the club get along with you and everyone enjoys hanging out with each other then it’s good. Which is why Outkast is smaller than some clubs. We enjoy each other’s company. I never asked to be in it. It was kind of a ‘hey, we like ya and what you’re doing so why not run with us?’ Quality of the club over quantity of its members.” They look out for one another. It extends past the shows and the cruise ins. If one person is having problems in their life, everyone rallies together to help them out in what ever way they can. I’ve seen guys drive for 2+ hours just to help trailer someone’s ride home because they broke down on the side of the road. Andrew Hardy of the Twizted Dreamz Iowa chapter says this of his club, “I picked this club because everyone treats you like family. They are there when they are needed for anything. Just a great group of guys and gals and I’m proud to call them my family.” You pick up the “Minitruck Mentality” after being around these guys. You know people not by their face, but by their vehicle. These guys are some of the best I’ve ever had the priveledge to know. There’s so many different personalities within the scene, but there’s one thing I do know that’s true for every single one of them.
Minitruckers are Freaks Of Nature that have Acrophobia. They have Severed Ties with the rest of the club and vehicle bashing by focusing all their hate on Josh “Mofuggin” Rowan. One man who jokingly said, “If you have to hate on someone, hate on me.” That one conversation turned into a 1,000 person plus strong movement to erase the hate in the show scene and things are better than ever because of it. They may be Outkast from society because of their Negative Camber or because they’re Vertically Challenged. They may have a few Twisted Intentions but come together with No Regrets. Keeping it Ground Level to be Earth Scrapers is the way they like to do things. It’s a Relaxed Atmosphere. You see guys out draggin’ the strip with their kids riding shotgun, grinning from ear to ear. Wives that not only put up with, but join in on the late night garage sessions working side by side with their husbands to get the next big thing done on that truck. A minitrucker’s work is never done. So much time, money, blood, sweat, and tears go into these trucks but they wouldn’t have it any other way. No matter where you’re from, no matter what you do as a day job, the “Family” will always be there to make everything alright. And in the end,all that’s left is the Aftermath…..

Monster Bass 2014 was nothing short of awesome. Billy Wheeler and his crew at Tint Plus pulled off yet another great show. The weather kept a few people at home, but there was still a huge turn out with EarthScrapes and Busted Bottomz making a great showing of their club spirit. The sound-off brought in a crowd of its own with Mark Allen and his Kicker Solo X’s taking loudest of the night. Everyone was invited to satiate their sweet tooth with the Little Debbie’s contest. Club wars went on throughout the night along with a costume contest rounding everything out. Until next time!

For the past few years, I’ve traveled all over the Tri-State area going to various car shows. Everything from nationally known shows like Layd Out At The Park to smaller charity shows benefiting local animal shelters and food banks. I’ve had the privilege of hanging out with some amazing people and so many clubs that I’ve lost count. My favorite shows always hit close to home and I will do whatever it takes to make it to them. Billy Wheeler hosts some of the most laid back shows that have been my favorites since the first time I made it out to Monster Bass in 2012. There’s never a dull moment at the shows. Everything from 4-way tug-o-war to toilet paper relays to sunburn contests keep everyone entertained. As fun as the shows are, the reason I keep going back is the host, himself. Billy and his wife support the local businesses any chance they can. It’s always a family event no matter who you are, what you drive, or what club you’re in. Recently, Tint Plus held a benefit show for their long time friend, Danny Seymour, who is battling throat cancer. Words cannot express how moving it was when everything was tallied for the final amount raised. This past week, they lost a member of their car family and have gone into protect mode to take care of the final costs for the family. A funeral fund was set up at a local bank and they have set the goal at $3000. in just a few days, they’ve managed to make it halfway to their goal. The way that Billy Wheeler and his Tint Plus family have stepped up to help those around them in their time of need makes such a huge impact on the car world. Faith that there is someone looking out for you and the ones you love is a comforting thing and there’s no one better than Billy and his “family”.

For information on how you can help with the Tint Plus Funeral Fund, you can contact the Palmetto Bank of Anderson, South Carolina or go by Tint Plus in Sandy Springs, South Carolina. They are having a car wash to raise donations for the funeral fund today (June 3rd) so if you are in the Anderson area, make sure and swing by to get your car washed or make a donation!